It is interesting to read so many posts from ppl who have been thru the same thing as me. This stomach bloating is underestimated by ppl that do not suffer from it. Mine started 7 years ago. I had a kidney transplant (my 2nd) and I knew that something didn't feel right. My first transplant was wonderful, I was up and walking the next morning, but after this second one I kept telling them something didn't feel right. I would get so bloated that I literally had trouble catching my breath. Long story short, I wound up in the e.r. about a week after I went home with sharp pains running up my neck to my head. They did tests and were set to send me in for emergency surgery. My stomach had twisted itself (kind of like the shape of an 8) and the pain was caused from a nerve next to the stomach which goes up the neck. My stomach was pressing on that nerve. Anyway, they needed to pump my stomach before they could go into the surgery and when they did, my stomach seemed to correct itself. I stayed in the hosp about 6 days on I.V. and had no solid foods until they released me and I went home. Within 3 days, I had the same problem...so back to the e.r. They finally said that I had a delay in emptying but they were not sure why. I noticed some other posts that had that diagnosis. Anyway, I was put on a medicine to treat it and the medicine worked BUT it caused major depression (which was one of the side effects listed). I had lived with my mom's depression all of my life and I was determined not to live like that if I could help it so I told them I wouldn't take the meds. The bloating was pretty much every day. for 6-7 years and miserable is the only way to describe the feeling. I had ppl tell me that they had the same symptoms, had their gallbladders removed, and that solved the problem. i did have my gallbladder checked in 2003 and they said that I did have stones but they were so small that they shouldn't be causing me any problem. This past April, I noticed I was having pain under my ribs or in my shoulder blade when I was bloated, and one time my belly was very tender to the touch. That is when I called the dr and asked if they would rescan my gallbladder. My gallbladder was a mess and the radiologist was amazed that they had left it in when he compared it to my first scan. He said there were large stones but that my gallbladder was very damaged bc they hadn't taked it out yrs ago. Besides that, during my ultrasound of my gallbladder they found a large tumor in my liver (about the size of a softball). It was malignant but they were able to successfully remove it (along with half of my liver). Since I had my surgery in May, I have only been bloated about 3 times but I did eat more than usual on those days. I still have several new lesions on my liver that they are watching (benign right now), but I did have a really bad bloating episode last night and it got me a little worried. I hope everyone gets the proper diagnosis bc it affects your daily lives and others don't understand. My suggestion would be for anyone to have their gallbladder checked if nothing else can be found. Good luck to all!

I'm so happy for all of your post. I've been managing severe stomach bloating now for a couple of weeks hoping it would pass...maybe PMS, pregnant...but none of those are true. I took my chances doing an online search for "my belly swells when I eat".

About 5 months ago I started bio-identical hormone that was said to be custom-made for my hormone levels. Unconvinced by the seeming lack of change, I have not gone back for a second dose. What I have began to notice is unusual hair loss, severely dry scalp, rapid weight gain and now this swelling of my belly immediately after I eat. It is uncomfortable to say the least, but it's causing an anxiety about becoming obese (my family is) which is leading to depression...a hopeless feeling 'cause nothing seems to be helping...changed diet, avoiding sugars, etc.

I try to avoid pharmaceuticals at all costs preferring to identify and address the root cause to things...even if that means suffering with the symptoms a little longer. I have undergone bio-feedback test that suggested the acid levels in my stomach where almost non existent...causing protein to putrefy resulting in excessive gas. Consequently, my liver is not happy.

Looking at what has changed in my life...stress...I've been under a great deal of stress that I didn't recognize as stress. The test suggested I have stopped paying attention to what makes me happy and my body is paying the price.

The bio-feedback test recommended HCL with Pepsin for digestion when eating protein and Milk Thistle for my liver. I was already taking Fish Oil and wonder if I should continue taking it as I try the HCL and Thistle. Any ideas?

I am sitting here reading this, bloated and hurting! I just woke up and have not eaten anything yet, and still feel like I am pregnant and misserable. I have been through the ringer with tests and special diets... I have been diagnosed with IBS, but as mentioned before, it is a wide spectrum diagnosis. I have also been told that I have a spastic colan. I take meds like they are prescribed and follow the doctors orders on dieting, but have gained almost 50lbs in the past 2 years. It is so frustrating to go to the doctor and have him tell you that "if you loose weight, you will feel better!" I do not overeat, nor do I eat the wrong things, in his eyes, but keep gaining. I bloat, and look like I am pregnant, to the extent that I may wake up one size and before lunch I may be 2 sizes bigger or smaller... I never know! I am 30 yrs old, and want so bad to be able to wear jeans again! I have started, per my gastro. taking stool softeners and fish oil every morning and night, with some results, but not alot. I have gone to the gyno. and was told that It was a result of adenomyosis, and they convinced me at 27yrs old that a hystorectomy would take care of my problems.... only to my dismay, left me with the same problems, and now not able to have anymore children! I have had 2 misscarriages, while having this problem, and now wonder if it had anything to do with it or not. The gyno. was sure of it! I am young, and otherwise healthy.... have always been very healthy and active, and small in size, untill this problem started 8 yrs ago! I feel lost and feel that the doctors are just trying to get me out as fast as they can, and not looking to help me!This problem is affecting every aspet of my life.....

Hi, I have also been feeling bloated since maybe before Christmas, but because of the festive season I thought it might be that. I have also put on weight and for the last 3 weeks have been swimming 3 times a week and eating super healthy. I have not been hungry though! And have not had much of an appetite and have not lost anyweight!!Just eating healthily. On saturday I had an attack after eating my first full meal in weeks, lasagne. I was sick, dizzy and had excruating cramps (like child birth) for over 4 hours and could not move off the sofa, I just avoided a trip to the hospital because my fever had gone down. The doctor on the emergency hot line said I had gallstones. I have only eaten toast and grapes and lots of apple juice since 3 days. The doctor took a blood test and I am waiting for the results if I have liver damage or more stones. If it is just one they hope it will pass alone.I can tell you I eat super healthy, only drink red wine and exercise. I am 62 kilos not my usual 57-58 kilos. I wish that kind of attack on noone and please get a check if possible. I didn't have any pain symptoms for over a month maybe longer but loss of appetite, bloating and no weight loss may be signs,?? If you think this applies to you stay away from red meat, fatty foods, dairy, fizzy drinks all the things I have been off anyway except for the lasagne night!

I honestly have not read the whole of this thread because there's 33 pages of it; either my brain would melt or I would forget the time and be late for me next engagement.

I do, however, want to add my two cents here.

From the age of 15 to now, five years later, I have had horrible problems with having a bloated/ distended stomach accompanied by gas, incredible diarrhoea, sickness and lots of other symptoms I wont list here.

The doctor was completely hopeless at diagnosing what was wrong with me. She kept sending me away with antibiotics which seem to have reduced my immune capacity to almost zero (otherwise I would be dead, lol.) and succeeded in only that and failing to treat a chronic ear infection.

After self testing and diet, I have found that all of my symptoms have been down to one cause - food allergy. I know you have stated that you have not had the trouble come and go, but I add this because neither did I. Turned out I am a celiac - allergic to wheat and other grains similar (barley, rye and oats) and it was that, an intolerance to dairy it was also causing and a peculiar allergy to pork causing all my issues.

I am much healthier now, and lost half of the 30lbs I put on during the time I was sick and diagnosing myself. I only didn't put on more because I wasn't eating much due to feeling sick most of the time.

but im 21.. 5ft 4 .. and naturally im a busty girl and iv never had a washboard stomach but it seemed to start about a year and half ago that my periods seemed to be getting heavier and heavier every month and i started to get a bloated stomach a few days before my period and now it seems i have a flatter tummy for about 3 days after my period and from then on its bloated till i come on and the same cycle starts all over.

but over the past 6 months ive now noticed whenever i eat or whenever i drink i also bloat?

if i relax and breathe out ( as most of the time i naturally hold my stomach in because im getting so self concious of it) i do actually look pregnant, and i know im not because ive checked well over 4 times in the past 3 months.

just recently me and my partner have started eating really healthily( to be honest im a lover of my vegtables, salad and fruit any way) and i even go the gym twice a week, i walk to work and im naturally an active person.

Its not within my nature to be lazy

i just dont know what to do next?

im sitting here now with stomach cramps, a headache and just feeling huge

i dont even wana go out on a saturday night and have a laugh any more cause i see all the other people around me that dont have bloated tummys and are like rakes lol!

its really lowering my self esteam and i really dont know what to do, it gets me so upsett most nights to the point i hate looking at myself in the mirror and i avoid it as much as i can

Hi... I been suffering the same as all of you...... The only medicine that seems to help not 100%, but al least 70% is LIBRAX.... once a day for at least 3 months. It helps with the nervous system as well as your digestive sistem.You will need a prescription for it.. I hope it helps